CHAPTER XII
DAYS OF DARING
Helen and Joe related their experiences since the former boy fish had left the circus, and Helen was as interested in Joe's new success as he was in her continued one with her trick horse.
"But your act is more risky than the one in the tank or on the trapeze, isn't it, Joe?" asked Helen.
"Well, yes, I suppose so, in a way," he admitted. "But the more risky a thing is the better the public likes it."
"Yes, I know," she sighed. "But you will be careful, won't you, Joe?"
"Oh, yes," he answered. "By the way, how is Benny making out in the tank? Does Lizzie behave herself?"
"Oh, yes indeed. The little seal is a dear (which isn't a joke), and while Benny doesn't do as many tricks as you did, still his act goes well, and he can stay under water quite a while, which, after all, is what makes it go big."
"Glad to hear it. Then he's like himself again?"
"Better than ever. You did a wonderful thing, Joe, when you provided for his operation. But what was it you wanted to see Bill Watson about?"
Joe told Helen of the chance remark made by the Englishman, and explained that he wanted to ask the veteran clown if the latter knew of any Englishmen in this country whom Joe's mother might have known as a girl in her home country.
"Oh, Joe, do you think you will ever get an inheritance?" Helen asked.
Joe shook his head.
"It's pretty doubtful," he answered. "But I'm going to keep on trying. I want to find that Englishman."
But Bill Watson could give Joe no clue to the man in the crowd.
"I only knew your mother after she joined a show I was with," the clown explained. "And though I often heard her speak of people in England, she did not mention any names that I recall now. I'm sure, though, that she came of a wealthy family, and she used to laugh when she told how they cast her off because she married your father, Joe. Your mother was what I call 'game,' and she had as much nerve as you're showing. She didn't care because she was disowned by her people, for she loved your father. I never saw a couple fonder of one another, excepting me and my wife," and he smiled at his remark.
"But as for that Englishman, Joe, I can't help you out any, I'm sorry to say. It seems queer, though, that all your inquiries made of the folks you wrote to in England amounted to nothing. I felt sure there was property over in that country coming to you through your mother."
"Well, there doesn't seem to be," said Joe. "I only wish there was, for I've been spending a lot lately on my new act. And I have another idea I'd like to carry out if I could get a few thousand dollars together."
"What is it, Joe; something else risky?" asked Helen.
"Well, perhaps you'd call it that," he answered. "However, there isn't much chance of my doing it, for I'll never get that English money."
"Maybe some one is interested in keeping it from you," suggested the pretty little trick rider.
"Well, if there are any such persons they're having their own way all right," Joe said. "However, there's no use dreaming about it. I'll be making good money soon—as soon as my high-wire act gets better known."
Joe enjoyed his night at the circus, renewing old friendships, and watching Bill Watson, the other clowns, Helen, and Benny Turton amuse the big crowd. Of course Joe was a privileged character and had the free entry to all the tents, side shows and everything else. He was most interested, however, in watching Benny Turton, the "human fish," in the glass tank, which Joe himself had so improved. And he saw that Benny was doing well—much better than he had ever done before.
"It's the goldfish and the seal that are the making of the act," said Benny, when the show was over. "They've improved it a hundred per cent., Joe, and I can't thank you enough. Lizzie is a great find. There never was another seal like her, I believe, and she and I are great friends."
"Glad to hear it," Joe remarked.
The show moved on that night, and Joe was to stay at a hotel, going back to the fair grounds at Clayton in the morning.
"Don't you wish you were going on with us?" asked Helen, as she parted from Joe.
"Well, yes, in a way I do," he said, looking at her in a manner that made her blush. "And perhaps I may be back with you soon."
"Oh, Joe! Really?" she asked. "Tell me about it!"
"Oh, it's all up in the air yet," he parried. "I haven't my plans made."
"Oh, I do wish you'd come back," Helen said.
"I will!" promised Joe, as he said good-bye.
There was a big crowd at the fair grounds the next morning to watch the aerial wire-rider again ride his machine across the tightly stretched wire, and Joe performed the daring act successfully. He was surer of himself now, as he started his motor-cycle across the ground, following the chalk line until he began to climb the inclined wire. And he felt an exhilaration as he spun across the level stretch, with the shouting and wildly enthusiastic crowds beneath him.
Again Joe received an ovation as he reached the ground, and again he had to bow his thanks. He looked eagerly for a sign of the mysterious Englishman, but did not see him. The young investigator was on hand, but he had only failure to report.
"I didn't see him, though I circulated all through the crowd," he told Joe. "I guess he didn't come to the fair to-day."
"I guess not. Well, I'm much obliged to you, just the same."
"Why don't you advertise for him if he's a missing person you want to find?" suggested the youth.
"I might do that," Joe agreed. "But I don't know just whom to advertise for. However, I'll think about it."
Joe did consider the matter, with the result that he inserted in several papers in the largest cities an advertisement asking for information about any one now in America who had known Janet Willoughby, formerly of England. Then he waited for answers.
Following the successful afternoon performance in Clayton, Joe and his helpers packed the apparatus and shipped it on to the next place where they were to give a performance, for while in Clayton Joe had received a telegram from another county fair about a hundred miles away. The boy put in three days there, thrilling big crowds twice each day, and he received his regular price for his act.
Then came some several days of idleness, but these had been counted on. However, the next week was completely filled with engagements, and as Joe booked an extended route, he said:
"I guess I'm on the road to success, all right."
There followed many days of daring on Joe's part, for his act was certainly a daring one if it was anything. But the youth was getting used to riding his motor-cycle on the high wire, and each time he did it he added to his experience. Ryan and Jeroleman acquired the knack of putting up and taking down the apparatus quickly, and they worked "almost like circus men," Joe informed them, and from his standpoint there was no higher praise.
From city to town Joe went on his circuit, doing his act. He was his own "boss," in that he did not depend on theatrical agencies or booking offices to place him. He could make his own terms, and the money he received was all his own, except the salaries he paid the two men, and what he expended for railroad charges and cartage. Performers who receive engagements through agents, or booking offices, have to divide their salaries with those who secure engagements for them.
From time to time Joe had his mail forwarded to him, picking out for receiving stations the cities where he would remain two or three days. He received letters from Helen and from Benny and, occasionally, one from Bill Watson, but there was no response to his advertisement.
"I guess I'll never hear anything," reasoned Joe. "Well, I've done all I can."